Success for USI's EMBA Immersive Study Tour in Boston

From 7 to 11 July 2025, the EMBA13 class of USI embarked on an intense and transformative Study Tour in Boston, designed to expose participants to advanced systems thinking, innovation, and sustainability practices. The experience involved a rich blend of academic lectures, hands-on simulations, and site visits hosted by leading faculty and institutions.

The expression “drinking from a fire hose” — often used to describe the pace of learning at top U.S. institutions — captures the energy and intellectual challenge of the week.

DAY 1

Monday, 7 July – Systems Thinking at Swissnex Boston

The tour opened at Swissnex Boston, where participants were welcomed by the Academic Director, Prof. Paulo Gonçalves. The day continued with a foundational session on systems thinking and system dynamics in management led by Prof. Mohammad Jalali (Harvard Medical School).

In the afternoon, Prof. Hazhir Rahmandad (MIT Sloan School of Management) guided students through applied systems thinking, focusing on modelling dynamic complexity in organisations and sustainability strategy.

DAY 2

Tuesday, 8 July – Climate Action at UMass Lowell & Innovation at SUVA Lab

The group travelled to UMass Lowell, beginning with a visit to the Renewable Energy Labs. Students then engaged in a World Climate Simulation, a highly interactive UN-style negotiation exercise facilitated by Prof. Juliette Rooney-Varga, Director of the Climate Change Initiative.

After lunch, the cohort explored urban sustainability initiatives in the Boston area, including a community greenhouse project. The day concluded with a visit to SUVA Lab in Charlestown, a biotech hub focused on mapping immune-tumour interactions for cancer innovation.
Highlight of the day was the encounter with Dr Christopher Mount, MD PhD, from Massachusetts General Hospital, at the SUVA lab, about how to bridge the knowledge gap in CAR-T cell therapies for gliomas.

DAY 3

Wednesday, 9 July – Innovation and Culture

Back at Swissnex, Prof. Nitin Joglekar (Villanova University) introduced the concept of Agentic AI and how autonomous systems are reshaping sustainable business models in mobility and energy.

Later, Prof. Sebastian Fixson (Babson College) led a session on innovation modes, presenting a framework of "specialist," "venture," "community," and "network" innovation strategies, with a deep dive into the venture mode.

In the afternoon, the group visited Harvard University for a guided campus tour, gaining cultural and historical context into one of the world’s most prestigious institutions.

DAY 4

Thursday, 10 July – Strategy and Reflection

The day mirrored Monday’s structure, deepening students' knowledge of systems dynamics.
Prof. Mohammad Jalali presented advanced modelling applications related to policy and organisational decision-making.

Prof. Hazhir Rahmandad then facilitated sessions on capability traps and project feedback loops — critical for navigating sustainability and performance under pressure.

In the evening, a networking reception at Swissnex gave students the chance to connect with speakers, alumni, and local innovators.

DAY 5

Friday, 11 July – Managing Sustainability and Climate Policy

The final day featured Prof. J. Bradley Morrison (Brandeis International Business School), who ran The Sustainability Game, a participatory exercise highlighting systemic challenges in global sustainability implementation. He also led a Crisis Resource Management simulation, applying principles from complex environments like emergency rooms to business teams.

The week concluded with the En-ROADS Climate Action Simulation, an immersive workshop guided by Rebecca Niles, Executive Director of the System Dynamics Society. Using MIT-developed tools, participants modeled and tested climate policies in real time.

The Boston Study Tour offered EMBA students a powerful experience at the intersection of systems thinking, innovation, and global impact. Through hands-on engagement and access to world-class faculty, the programme equipped participants with analytical tools and strategic perspectives for leading sustainability transitions in their organisations.